Usually I have a pretty relaxed attitude with auditions, don’t really get nervous and I don’t rehearse too much. Mind you, I’ve also never auditioned for anything “big” before, usually commercials and local independent films. Just scored a role as a Yakuza mob boss’ bodyguard for a short film, the unique thing about it is that all the dialogue is in Japanese. I’ve taken Japanese in high school and college but I’m hardly fluent, the lack of practice doesn’t help either. They also had me read for the boss part. Although I read just fine, the boss is supposed to be in the 40-60 year old range and has a LOT of Japanese dialogue, so I’m quite glad to be his bodyguard 
The real audition I’m worried about is coming up in mid-May, was asked to audition for a television series to be filmed in Mainland China. I can’t even begin to fathom what an opportunity like this would mean to me. The project is a tv series based on the popular cult film Dragon Tiger Gate. Never heard of it before so I researched it and found out my favorite martial artist, Donnie Yen, was in the film version! This is the guy who took over Jet Li’s title of martial arts champion in China when Jet Li pursued his movie career in the States. The audition consists of 2 parts, a regular audition reading that I have no problems with, the second part worries me. They want a 30 second demonstration of my martial arts skills. I’m a good fighter and have been training since I was around 7-8 years old, but for the last 15 years my training has mostly consisted of close combat mixed martial arts (Muay Thai, Krav Maga, police tactics and submissions). I’ve long ago given up on the flighty, acrobatic kicks and style that the Asian films tend to favor, just wasn’t practical in real life. I guess I better practice hard for the next couple of weeks and focus on my sword techniques, I may be able to wing it I’m also not skinny with pretty hair like the characters in the movie, I gave up on being pretty in high school. Hopefully they’ll be looking for the strong, silent type 
Posted on April 25th, 2007 by Leo
Filed under: Lucid Thoughts, On The Set
Good luck!
If weng-weng can do it, our Leo can!
As a new reader I’ll wish you luck too.
Uh, I think you’re plenty pretty. *blushes*
-blushes-
Donnie Yen is pretty damn cool. Good luck.
BTW: pho again this Saturday.
Thanks for all your support guys, gonna practice hard and give it a go!
Leo, it sounds like things are really taking off for you and you deserve every bit of it. Best to you with your practicing beforehand and your upcoming auditions.
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